I am excited to announce that as of July 1, 2012, I will be the Executive Director of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD), representing 42 specialized colleges of art and design across the US and Canada.  I will overlap with retiring Executive Director Bill Barrett for one month beginning June 1, and then AICAD will relocate to Providence, RI at the beginning of July.  This is an exciting new chapter in my career, and I look forward to continuing to work to promote the value of artists, designers, and art and design education.

I am currently in the midst of winding down my consulting business and will be officially closing Obalil & Associates to take on this new challenge.  I will fulfill any previously scheduled speaking engagements through the end of 2012 including the AFTA Convention, National Arts Marketing Project Conference and Midwest Arts Conference.  While I will consider future speaking engagements, they will have to be balanced with the robust travel and convening schedule that comes with this new appointment.

Thanks for all of the support you’ve provided over the years.  I have truly loved my time as a consultant and all those who have worked with Obalil & Associates.  It is somewhat bittersweet to transition my clients to other solutions, but I know they will all succeed.

All the best,
Deborah